SPRING GREEN - The Darlington boys cross country team had five runners in the top 12 to roll to the championship in the small school division of the River Valley Invitational on Saturday.
Boscobel senior Dakota Kauffman won the 5,000-meter race at the Spring Green Golf Course with a time of 16 minutes, 27 seconds, which just nipped Darlington senior Jaden Komprood for the individual title by three seconds as he finished with a time of 16:30. The Redbirds ran away with the title 38-68 over Southwest Wisconsin Activities League rival Boscobel.
"It was nice to see our kids run as a pack," Darlington coach Arnie Miehe said. "Boscobel and Albany are right there. Boscobel is a tough team and Albany was missing a runner."
Darlington sophomore Tanner Evenstad finished seventh (17:25) followed by Sean Barbee who took eighth (17:27) and freshman Payton Heinberg, who was ninth (17:30). Senior teammate Blake Cwynar rounded out the top five for the Redbirds finishing 12th (17:36). Albany finished a distant third (117) behind Boscobel in the 18-team invite. Pecatonica-Argyle (476) took last.
Miehe is well aware that injuries can alter the conference or Division 3 sectional races coming in October. Albany competed without senior Josh Little, who was all-conference last year, and the Comets' No. 1 runner at the sectional on a team that took third place at state last season.
"They have to realize a lot of things can happen," Miehe said of his team. "You have to stay healthy and focused."
The Albany girls cross country team edged Lancaster for the team title 84-88 in a preview of the Division 3 sectional meet. The Comets had four of the top 17 runners, led by junior Ciara Kaderly who took third (19:57). Darlington took third (95) and Boscobel captured fourth (97). New Glarus-Monticello finished eighth (201) and Pecatonica-Argyle (291) was 11th in the 15-team invite.
"Hopefully, with this race they will realize what we can achieve some big things this year," Albany coach Tony Brewer said. "To be able to win this meet was a total team effort. It took everyone stepping up. It will be the same four teams at the sectional."
The Albany boys cross country team got a strong performance from senior Tyler Dahl who took 14th (17:46). His younger brother Josh Dahl ran to 19th (18:19). Albany junior Isaac Halverson finished 24th (18:41) followed by junior Connor Trow who took 26th (18:43). Albany junior Travis Oliver was 34th (19:07).
"Hopefully, we know now we have work to do," Brewer said. "To be able to beat Boscobel we need to have Josh Little."
Pecatonica-Argyle had two runners in the top 93 led by junior Tristan Waage who took 79th (21:16). Junior teammate Dakota Kauffman was 93rd (22:20).
In the girls' race, Kaderly paced the Comets, but they got solid production from their entire team. Albany sophomore Emma Guenther finished 13th (21:43) followed by freshman Kirsten Oliver who took 15th (21:48) and freshman Megan Anderson who was 17th (21:49). Albany senior Emily Hauri took 36th (22:45) for the Comets.
The Comets ran without senior Sydnee Woyak, a state qualifier last year, who is battling a stress fracture in her foot. She has been out six weeks, but is nearing a return.
"We are hoping to get her back for the whole month of October," Brewer said. "If we get her back for the last month we could be even better."
Belleville junior Noelle Marie won the race (19:07), which was 50 seconds ahead of Kaderly. Darlington had two runners crack the top 10 led by sophomore Erin Wolf, who finished seventh (21:16). Sophomore teammate Reghan Komprood took 10th (21:22) and sophomore Emma Crist was 16th (21:49). Junior Paige Schilling captured 29th (22:17) and sophomore Meghan Douglas ran to 33rd (22:41).
New Glarus-Monticello freshman Gabbie Sawyer took 12th (21:22) to lead the Glarner Knights. Senior teammate Ashley Risley finished 31st (22:29) and senior Jane Thurow was 47th (23:39). Junior teammate Kelly Fredrickson ran to 49th (23:46) and junior Rebecca Barr was 62nd (24:07). Pecatonica-Argyle Josie Penniston helped pace the Vikings taking 32nd (22:40). Senior teammate Samantha Erickson finished 55th (23:57) and senior Hannah James was 56th (23:59).
The fourth runner for the Comets finished 12 spots ahead of the Darlington's No. 4 runner. Four of the Redbirds' top five runners finished with season-best times.
"I told our girls this is a preview of what it will be in the conference and sectional," Miehe said. "Our tam, Albany and Boscobel were all within 25 to 30 seconds. We will have to respond to the challenge."
Boscobel senior Dakota Kauffman won the 5,000-meter race at the Spring Green Golf Course with a time of 16 minutes, 27 seconds, which just nipped Darlington senior Jaden Komprood for the individual title by three seconds as he finished with a time of 16:30. The Redbirds ran away with the title 38-68 over Southwest Wisconsin Activities League rival Boscobel.
"It was nice to see our kids run as a pack," Darlington coach Arnie Miehe said. "Boscobel and Albany are right there. Boscobel is a tough team and Albany was missing a runner."
Darlington sophomore Tanner Evenstad finished seventh (17:25) followed by Sean Barbee who took eighth (17:27) and freshman Payton Heinberg, who was ninth (17:30). Senior teammate Blake Cwynar rounded out the top five for the Redbirds finishing 12th (17:36). Albany finished a distant third (117) behind Boscobel in the 18-team invite. Pecatonica-Argyle (476) took last.
Miehe is well aware that injuries can alter the conference or Division 3 sectional races coming in October. Albany competed without senior Josh Little, who was all-conference last year, and the Comets' No. 1 runner at the sectional on a team that took third place at state last season.
"They have to realize a lot of things can happen," Miehe said of his team. "You have to stay healthy and focused."
The Albany girls cross country team edged Lancaster for the team title 84-88 in a preview of the Division 3 sectional meet. The Comets had four of the top 17 runners, led by junior Ciara Kaderly who took third (19:57). Darlington took third (95) and Boscobel captured fourth (97). New Glarus-Monticello finished eighth (201) and Pecatonica-Argyle (291) was 11th in the 15-team invite.
"Hopefully, with this race they will realize what we can achieve some big things this year," Albany coach Tony Brewer said. "To be able to win this meet was a total team effort. It took everyone stepping up. It will be the same four teams at the sectional."
The Albany boys cross country team got a strong performance from senior Tyler Dahl who took 14th (17:46). His younger brother Josh Dahl ran to 19th (18:19). Albany junior Isaac Halverson finished 24th (18:41) followed by junior Connor Trow who took 26th (18:43). Albany junior Travis Oliver was 34th (19:07).
"Hopefully, we know now we have work to do," Brewer said. "To be able to beat Boscobel we need to have Josh Little."
Pecatonica-Argyle had two runners in the top 93 led by junior Tristan Waage who took 79th (21:16). Junior teammate Dakota Kauffman was 93rd (22:20).
In the girls' race, Kaderly paced the Comets, but they got solid production from their entire team. Albany sophomore Emma Guenther finished 13th (21:43) followed by freshman Kirsten Oliver who took 15th (21:48) and freshman Megan Anderson who was 17th (21:49). Albany senior Emily Hauri took 36th (22:45) for the Comets.
The Comets ran without senior Sydnee Woyak, a state qualifier last year, who is battling a stress fracture in her foot. She has been out six weeks, but is nearing a return.
"We are hoping to get her back for the whole month of October," Brewer said. "If we get her back for the last month we could be even better."
Belleville junior Noelle Marie won the race (19:07), which was 50 seconds ahead of Kaderly. Darlington had two runners crack the top 10 led by sophomore Erin Wolf, who finished seventh (21:16). Sophomore teammate Reghan Komprood took 10th (21:22) and sophomore Emma Crist was 16th (21:49). Junior Paige Schilling captured 29th (22:17) and sophomore Meghan Douglas ran to 33rd (22:41).
New Glarus-Monticello freshman Gabbie Sawyer took 12th (21:22) to lead the Glarner Knights. Senior teammate Ashley Risley finished 31st (22:29) and senior Jane Thurow was 47th (23:39). Junior teammate Kelly Fredrickson ran to 49th (23:46) and junior Rebecca Barr was 62nd (24:07). Pecatonica-Argyle Josie Penniston helped pace the Vikings taking 32nd (22:40). Senior teammate Samantha Erickson finished 55th (23:57) and senior Hannah James was 56th (23:59).
The fourth runner for the Comets finished 12 spots ahead of the Darlington's No. 4 runner. Four of the Redbirds' top five runners finished with season-best times.
"I told our girls this is a preview of what it will be in the conference and sectional," Miehe said. "Our tam, Albany and Boscobel were all within 25 to 30 seconds. We will have to respond to the challenge."
